My childhood was steeped in unhappiness. I grew up without knowing my father, and my world shattered when my mother passed away when I was just 13. My grandparents, overwhelmed by their own grief for their daughter, struggled to care for themselves, let alone a grieving teenager. I felt lost in a world that seemed to lack warmth and understanding.
After high school, I sought refuge in the army, hoping it would give me a sense of direction, but that too didn’t work out. My personal life was a series of turbulent relationships and marriages, resulting in three children whom I loved but often felt I couldn’t fully be there for. Despite having a job that paid decently, life seemed like a puzzle I couldn’t solve. I was constantly engulfed in bitterness and anger, emotions that became my unwelcome companions.
Then, one day, everything began to change. I stumbled upon a book about Buddhism, and a particular thought struck me with profound clarity: everything we experience is shaped by our mind. This concept intrigued me deeply. I dove into the study of Buddhism, and as I absorbed its teachings, my perspective on life began to shift.
Gradually, the anger and bitterness that had clouded my existence started to lift. I began to understand the power of my own thoughts and how they shaped my reality. This journey of self-discovery wasn’t easy, but it was transformative. I learned to find peace within myself, and this inner transformation had a ripple effect on my relationships with my children and those around me. My story, once defined by loss and anger, began to be rewritten into a narrative of understanding, resilience, and hope.
